Hyderabad: Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) on Saturday requested the Union minister for environment, forests and climate change, Dr Harsha Vardhan to allow environmental clearance for stage II works of Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project (PRLIS).

KCR also urged the Centre to grant the state Rs 100 crore from its share of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds. He sought Rs 100 crore for supporting the state government’s initiative of developing 188 forests blocks in Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) limits.

On Saturday, Harsha Vardhan called on KCR at Pragathi Bhavan, during his visit to Hyderabad. He also attended a meeting on ‘Telangana ku Haritha Haram’ and other greenery conservation initiatives in the state.

The Union minister told the media that the Narendra Modi government was making efforts to bring a new act for the conservation of forests.

He also appreciated the efforts and measures of the state government used to improve the greenery and proposed that more awareness programmes were organised to ensure that society at large realises the need for a massive plantation programme. He also congratulated KCR on his recent electoral victory.

KCR requested the Union minister to rebuild the ratio of 70:30% under ad-hoc CAMPA rules approved by the Supreme Court. He thanked the Harsh Vardhan for according environmental permission to Kaleshwaram project.

He also asked him to visit the Kaleshwaram project, which was in an advanced stage of construction and some other places in the state.

KCR also urged Harsha Vardhan to extend support and cooperation for the activities taken up by the Telangana government to increase greenery in the state.

Later, KCR and Harsha Vardhan discussed the ongoing plantation programme, forest conservation measures, forest rejuvenation programme, protection of wild animals and environment, among others.